Next Meeting: Thursday, 19 February, at 6:30 p.m.
at the Tustin Marketplace Corner Bakery (13652 Jamboree Road, Irvine)
30 Mar meeting notes; 6 Apr reading list
30 MARCH MEETING NOTES
A cozy five people attended: Benafsha A. (the final two chapters of Grown in the Shade)(congratulations, Benafsha!), Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Lance (1.5 chapters from Bluejay Rises), Leighanne (the first two chapters of On the Steps of the Palace), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
On Saturday, Apr. 1, at 2 p.m., author Katherine Applegate will appear at the Tustin Library.
Book Carnival will host A.E. Wasserman and her latest book, 1888: The Dead & the Desperate, in person on Sunday, Apr. 2, at 2 p.m.
6 APRIL READING LIST
Donna R. (3/16)
Glenda (3/23)
Burt (3/16)
Gloria A. (3/16)
Rosie (3/30)
Joanne (3/23)
Chris L. (3/30)
Benafsha A. (3/30)
Lance (3/30)
Leighanne (3/30)
23 Mar meeting notes; 30 Mar reading list
23 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Grown in the Shade), Chris L., Glenda, Joanne (another episode from The Musings of an Unreliable Neurotic Narrator), Lance (a chapter from Bluejay Rises), Rosie (a chapter from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld), and a special guest appearance by Leighanne.
NEWS & NOTES
On Wednesday, Mar. 29, at 6 p.m., Book Carnival sponsors a virtual visit with Margaret Mizushima, author of Standing Dead, and Scott Graham, author of Saguaro Sanction.
30 MARCH READING LIST
Donna R. (3/16)
Glenda (3/23)
Burt (3/16)
Gloria A. (3/16)
Chris L. (3/23)
Benafsha A. (3/23)
Rosie (3/23)
Lance (3/23)
Joanne (3/23)
Leighanne (3/23)
16 Mar meeting notes; 23 Mar reading list
16 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Burt (a chapter from The Class of ’42), Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Donna R., Glenda, Gloria A. (a chapter from Toxin), Joanne (another episode from The Musings of an Unreliable Neurotic Narrator), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Lance was at Left Coast Crime in Tucson.
On Saturday, 25 March, at 1 p.m., Ellen Byron’s book launch party for Wined and Died in New Orleans will happen at the Fernhill Country Club in Huntington Beach, sponsored by Mystery Ink.
On Sunday, 26 March, Sisters in Crime OC welcomes Daryl Wood Gerber speaking on “Persistence Pays!” The program starts at 3 p.m. at Book Carnival in Orange.
23 MARCH READING LIST
Donna R. (3/16)
Glenda (3/16)
Benafsha A. (3/9)
Rosie (3/16)
Lance (3/9)
Burt (3/16)
Joanne (3/16)
Gloria A. (3/16)
Chris L. (3/16)
9 Mar meeting notes; 16 Mar reading list
9 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Grown in the Shade), Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Donna R., Glenda, Gloria A., Lance (two chapters from Bluejay Rises), and Rosie (a chapter from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld).
NEWS & NOTES
Kirkus Reviews called Donna’s novel Running with Hounds…and an English Degree “a fast-paced and ebullient contemporary romance.” Now it’s on Kirkus’s “36 Great Indie Books Worth Discovering.” Congratulations, Donna!
OC Romance Writers’ meeting on Saturday, Mar. 11, at 10 a.m., features Phoebe Ravencraft, “Giving Your Blurbs Character,” and Denise Colby, “Ten Ways to Improve SEO” (virtual).
On Saturday, Mar. 11, at 2 p.m., Gregg Hurwitz (The Last Orphan) will appear in person at Book Carnival.
16 MARCH READING LIST
Donna R. (3/9)
Glenda (3/9)
Burt (3/2)
Joanne (3/2)
Benafsha A. (3/9)
Gloria A. (3/9)
Rosie (3/9)
Chris L. (3/9)
Lance (3/9)
2 Mar meeting notes; 9 Mar reading list
2 MARCH MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A., Burt, Chris L. (a chapter from Staff), Glenda, Gloria A. ( a very short story, “Vortex”), Joanne, Lance (two chapters from Bluejay Rises), and Glenda’s guest John.
NEWS & NOTES
Book Carnival has three events coming up:
- Saturday, Mar. 4, 2 p.m.: John Sayles, Jamie MacGillivray: The Renegade’s Journey (in person)
- Sunday, Mar. 5, 11 a.m.: Peter May, A Winter Grave (virtual)
- Tuesday, Mar. 7, 12 p.m.: Emilia Hart, Weyward (virtual)
The Placentia Library Foundation Annual Author Luncheon happens Saturday, Mar. 4, at the Alta Vista Country Club. It features Shawn Nocher, A Hand to Hold in Deep Water. (Tickets $65)
9 MARCH READING LIST
Donna R. (2/16)
Glenda (3/2)
Burt (3/2)
Joanne (3/2)
Rosie (2/23)
Benafsha A. (3/2)
Gloria A. (3/2)
Chris L. (3/2)
Lance (3/2)
23 Feb meeting notes; 2 Mar reading list
23 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
Eight people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Grown in the Shade), Burt, Chris L. (the first chapter of a new work, Staff), Glenda, Gloria A., Joanne, Lance (two chapters from Bluejay Rises), and Rosie (two chapters from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld).
NEWS & NOTES
Mystery Ink presents Ellen Byron and her new novel, Wined and Dined in New Orleans, in person at the Fernhill Country Club in Huntington Beach, on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 1 p.m.
Sisters in Crime OC hosts Edgar winner Jordan Harper, Everybody Knows, in a virtual appearance at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26.
2 MARCH READING LIST
Donna R. (2/16)
Glenda (2/23)
Burt (2/23)
Gloria A. (2/23)
Joanne (2/23)
Rosie (2/23)
Chris L. (2/23)
Benafsha A. (2/23)
Lance (2/23)
16 Feb meeting notes; 23 Feb reading list
16 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
Six people attended: Burt, Donna R., Glenda, Gloria A. (a chapter from Toxin), Joanne (a rewritten short story, “The Musings of an Unreliable Neurotic Narrator”), and Lance (two chapters from Bluejay Rises).
NEWS & NOTES
SCWA welcomes Jonathan Brown, author of Drums, Guns ‘n’ Money, presenting “Rediscover the Joy of Writing” on Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m., at the Regency Theatre in San Juan Capistrano, adjacent to the train station.
Kwei Quartey appears in person to discuss his new novel, Last Seen in Lapaz, at Book Carnival on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m.
Mystery Ink hosts David Putnam and his new novel The Scorned on Saturday, Feb. 18, 1 p.m., in person at the Fernhill Country Club in Huntington Beach.
23 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Donna R. (2/16)
Glenda (2/16)
Rosie (2/9)
Chris L. (2/9)
Burt (2/16)
Benafsha A. (2/9)
Lance (2/16)
Gloria A. (2/16)
Joanne (2/16)
9 Feb meeting notes; 16 Feb reading list
9 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Grown in the Shade), Burt (chapters from The Class of ’42), Chris L. (a revised chapter from System Kid), Donna R., Joanne, Lance, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
On Saturday, 11 Feb at 10 a.m., OC Romance Writers will host Jacqueline Diamond, “Taming the FOMO,” and Leslie V. Knowles, “Graphic Design – What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why,” in a hybrid meeting.
Book Carnival hosts a double-header this weekend: David Putnam with a new book, A Fearsome Moonlight Black, in person on Saturday, 11 Feb at 11 a.m.; and M.G. Malliet with a new book, Invitation to a Killer, making a virtual appearance on Sunday, 12 Feb, at 11 a.m.
16 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Donna R. (2/9)
Glenda (2/2)
Lance (2/9)
Rosie (2/9)
Gloria A. (2/2)
Joanne (2/9)
Chris L. (2/9)
Burt (2/9)
Benafsha A. (2/9)
2 Feb meeting notes; 9 Feb reading list
2 FEBRUARY MEETING NOTES
A bumper nine people attended: Benafsha A., Burt, Chris L., Donna R., Glenda, Gloria A. (two chapters from Toxin), Joanne (a very short story, “Musings of an Unreliable Neurotic Narrator”), Lance, and Rosie (two chapters from The Great Mrs. Ziegfeld).
NEWS & NOTES
Check out the new author events posting for local author appearances and writing seminars in February.
9 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Donna R. (2/2)
Glenda (2/2)
Chris L. (2/2)
Burt (2/2)
Benafsha A. (2/2)
Lance (2/2)
Rosie (2/2)
Gloria A. (2/2)
Joanne (2/2)
26 Jan meeting notes; 2 Feb reading list
26 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Benafsha A. (two chapters from Grown in the Shade), Burt (a chapter from Class of ’42), Chris L., Donna R., Glenda, Gloria A., and Lance (1.5 chapters from Bluejay Rises).
NEWS & NOTES
Donna is in the process of recording the audiobook for Running with Hounds…and an English Degree. Good luck!
On Wednesday, 1 Feb, at 6:30 p.m., the Orange County Public Library is sponsoring an appearance by Marie Benedict, author of The Mitford Affair, at the Norma Hertzog Community Center in Costa Mesa.
2 FEBRUARY READING LIST
Donna R. (1/26)
Rosie (1/19)
Gloria A. (1/26)
Glenda (1/26)
Joanne (1/19)
Chris L. (1/26)
Burt (1/26)
Benafsha A. (1/26)
Lance (1/26)
19 Jan meeting notes; 26 Jan reading list
19 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Seven people attended: Burt, Chris L. (the final chapter of System Kid)(congratulations, Chris!), Glenda (the conclusion of “Pair of Dimes”), Gloria A. (two chapters of Toxin), Joanne (the final chapter of Musings of an Unreliable Narrator)(congratulations, Joanne!), Lance, and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
Stats for 2022: we averaged 6.9 attendees and 3.2 readings per meeting. Glenda was the attendance champ with 42 appearances for the year, while Lance and Benafsha tied at 41.
The Southern California Writers’ Association meeting on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 10 a.m. features author Chris Hauty. The meeting is at the Regency Theater, 26762 Verdugo Street, in San Juan Capistrano.
The Sisters in Crime OC meeting is on Sunday, Jan. 22, at 3 p.m. Cozy January features author Karen Sue Walker. The meeting happens at Book Carnival, 348 S. Tustin Avenue, in Orange.
26 JANUARY READING LIST
Donna R. (12/8)
Rosie (1/19)
Burt (1/19)
Benafsha A. (12/8)
Lance (1/19)
Gloria A. (1/19)
Glenda (1/19)
Joanne (1/19)
Chris L. (1/19)
12 Jan meeting notes; 19 Jan reading list
12 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
There wasn’t a 12 Jan meeting because Corner Bakery wasn’t open for dine-in. We’ll try again next week. We may need to think about a Plan B if Corner Bakery continues to have random closures.
NEWS & NOTES
Check the updated “January Author Events” post for writing-related events this month. I’ve removed the Huntington Beach Friends of the Library (they don’t seem to be having author events anymore) and replaced them with OC Public Libraries (which do).
19 JANUARY READING LIST
Donna R. (12/8)
Rosie (12/8)
Burt (12/1)
Benafsha A. (12/8)
Gloria A. (1/5)
Glenda (1/5)
Joanne (1/5)
Chris L. (1/5)
Lance (1/5)
5 Jan meeting notes; 12 Jan reading list
5 JANUARY MEETING NOTES
Five people attended the inaugural meeting of 2023: Chris L. (two of the final three chapters from System Kid), Glenda (a replay of Part 1 of a short story, “Pair of Dimes”), Gloria A. (1.25 chapters from Toxin), Joanne (a short story, “A Complicated Chain of Women”), and Lance (two chapters from Bluejay Rises).
NEWS & NOTES
Check the accompanying “January Author Events” post for writing-related events this month.
12 JANUARY READING LIST
Donna R. (12/8)
Rosie (12/8)
Burt (12/1)
Benafsha A. (12/8)
Gloria A. (1/5)
Glenda (1/5)
Joanne (1/5)
Chris L. (1/5)
Lance (1/5)
PFL Holiday Party, 15 December
The PFL Holiday Party will go ahead as planned on Thursday, 15 December, at 6:30 at Gloria’s house. Contact me if you didn’t get a flyer with the address, map, and food list. See you there?
8 Dec meeting notes; 5 Jan reading list
8 DECEMBER MEETING NOTES
Four people attended the climactic meeting of 2022: Benafsha A. (a chapter from Grown in the Shade), Donna R., Lance (1.5 chapters of Bluejay Rises), and Rosie.
NEWS & NOTES
The first meeting of 2023 is on 5 Jan.
The PFL Holiday Party will happen starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, 15 December. The current venue is Gloria’s place in Tustin Hills, but we may need to make a last-minute change depending on illness. Watch this space for breaking news.
5 JANUARY READING LIST
Donna R. (12/8)
Rosie (12/8)
Gloria A. (11/10)
Glenda (12/1)
Burt (12/1)
Joanne (12/1)
Chris L. (12/1)
Lance (12/8)
Benafsha A. (12/8)
Pure Fiction League 